47 The opening of the over land railway proved a severe blow to the Isthmus traffic.

Then come disasters, stock jobbing, and brib ery further to reduce its importance.

DURING Mexican times, traffic along the coast was conducted by foreign trading vessels.

This privilege was not permissible under United States laws, but owing to the lack of other vessels the military govern ment countenanced it 1 during 1849.

On the bay a few whale-boats and sloops had maintained regular communication with different settlements, especially Sutter s Fort.